Construction has officially started on the cricket stadium that will host matches during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, marking a key milestone for cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympic programme after more than a century.
The venue, located at the Fairplex Grounds in Pomona, will have a capacity of over 10,000 spectators and will also serve as a temporary home for Major League Cricket franchise Los Angeles Knight Riders prior to the Games. The team is scheduled to play three matches there between July 1 and July 5, helping introduce the sport to the local market ahead of the Olympics.
A groundbreaking ceremony was attended by senior figures from global cricket and Olympic organizations, including International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah and chief executive Sanjog Gupta, alongside LA28 officials and local government representatives.
Officials described the development as a major step in cricket’s global expansion strategy, with the sport set to return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900. The inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games is widely viewed as part of a broader effort to increase its international reach and commercial appeal.
ICC leadership emphasized that the new venue will not only host Olympic competition but also leave a long-term legacy for cricket in the United States. The facility is expected to play a key role in building fan engagement, improving visibility and strengthening institutional support for the sport in a growing market.
The integration of Major League Cricket matches at the venue ahead of the Olympics is part of a wider strategy to establish sustained interest in cricket across the Los Angeles region.
With construction now underway, the project marks the beginning of a two-year development phase leading into the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where cricket will take its place on the Olympic stage once again.